AND the beat goes on. The Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Latinbeat 2008 festival – 28 films from 10 Latin American countries – is here.

It kicked off Friday night with Esteban Schroed er’s political thriller “Kill Them All.” (Don’t worry, there are more screenings to come.)

Roxana Blanco gives a robust performance as an Uruguayan human-rights prosecutor who comes to realize that her father was involved in shady doings when the country was ruled by a murderous military junta.

Schroeder had chosen another actress for the role, Blanco told me the other day, but she backed out at the last minute in favor of a TV series.

The earthy Blanco got the part, but had only 10 days to learn the script. “And I had to get immersed in the real-life [1993] case that the story is based on. I had forgotten about it because it happened a long time ago.”

Her efforts gained her the best-actress prize at the Havana Film Festival. It was her first visit to Cuba, and it took place just before Fidel Castro handed over power to his brother, Raul.

“I think I am the last actress to win a prize while Fidel was still in power,” Blanco joked.

“Kill Them All” is her second movie. She has also worked on the stage and TV, including a stint (she giggles talking about it) in the Latin American version of “Desperate Housewives.”

Latinbeat gets sexy with the Argentine “Encarnacion.” It deals with the bonding of an aging actress (Sylvia Perez) with her innocent 15-year-old niece (Martina Juncadella). The camera nearly drools as it ogles the teen’s body in a hot-pink bikini.

Other Latinbeat entries include “The Pope’s Toilet,” a black comedy built around a visit to Latin America by John Paul II, and “The Girls,” from Chile.

According to the program notes for “The Girls,” director Rodrigo Marin’s first feature was shot in 24 hours in one place with two actresses who had never met before.

The festival continues through Sept. 25 at the Walter Reade Theater. Details: filmlinc.com